Online dating: chances are, you’ve tried or at least considered finding a romantic partner online at some point. However, it can be daunting to put yourself out there, not to mention tiresome to sift through profile after profile of potential matches. So, how do you ensure that your online dating experience will be successful? Simple: make your profile stand out.
To ace the game of online dating, prepare to be patient. While the process of starting an online profile can seem intimidating, the outcome just might be worth it in the end. Who knows, you might even find your soulmate!
Here’s how to make the most of your online dating experience.
Create A Killer Profile
If you’re trying online dating for the first time, creating a profile can seem a little intimidating. A common mistake that beginners make is structuring their profiles as they would a resume. The whole point of making a dating profile is to find someone that you have fun spending time with, not to rattle off your academic and career achievements to.
Your profile should showcase your personality, and what better way to do that than to write a few lines telling your prospective matches a little about yourself. After all, a profile isn’t fulfilling its maximum potential without a proper description. It’s important to choose each word you use carefully, since this is truly how you can sell yourself. Keep it simple, light, and funny. Try to avoid using slang and abbreviations in your bio since that can come across as juvenile – and seeming unbothered with grammar is never the way to get a date.
Especially if you’re new to online dating, it’s advised to have a friend read over your profile and get their feedback. Sometimes it’s hard to objectively critique your own biography, and it’s important that your description paints a proper picture of you in a positive, charming light. You attract whatever vibe you put out there, so writing a positive description will generally attract happier people.
Pick Your Photos Strategically
People form their first impression of you based entirely on the photos displayed on your profile, so it’s important to make your selections wisely. Opt for photos that demonstrate certain activities you enjoy; for example, you at the beach, or on a bike ride, or out travelling. This will show that you’re more than just a pretty face.
However, you do also want to show off that pretty face. Try to use photos that highlight your most attractive features while also conveying yourself in an honest way. It’s recommended to not use old photos of yourself or photos with heavy filters applied to them, since your match will have a hard time getting a sense of what you actually look like. Choose photos where your personality shines through and presents yourself in an attractive light. Also keep in mind that group photos can be confusing since it may be hard to immediately pick out who you are in a crew.
Interested? Reach Out First
Congratulations, you’ve got a match! Now, you’ve got two options: wait for your match to start a conversation, or you can take matters into your own hands and message them first. If you’re confident your profile is compelling enough to hook potential dates, then you can choose to sit back, relax, and wait for the messages to roll in. However, the most surefire way to get more dates is to make the first move. If you find someone that you’re interested in, then why not shoot them a quick “hey”, or, for advanced online daters, a GIF? It’s even better if you personalize your intro message and incorporate an element of either their bio or their photos into your opening line.
If you have a few spare minutes a day, open your dating app and browse a few profiles. You never know who you’ll find online!
Hold Your Horses – Don’t Take On Too Many Dates
You’ll likely meet several intriguing and attractive people throughout your online dating journey, but not everyone will be a great match for you – and that’s okay. If you have a conversation with a match that ends up fizzling out, just move on. It’s better to not waste your time and energy on something that isn’t promising.
Tip: Take your time reading each profile, and try to avoid skimming. This way, you will only start conversations with people whose profiles clearly spoke to you, and you won’t be wasting anyone’s time.
You Can’t Hurry Love
True love doesn’t happen instantly. A lasting relationship requires time, hard work, and commitment. Take your new relationship day by day, and don’t let your imagination run wild with wedding plans the second you start to develop feelings for your new partner. It’s key to remain grounded and see the situation as it really is without over-romanticizing it.
That being said, have fun and embrace your new relationship. Let it blossom if it feels right.
Make An Effort To Communicate
Communication is key at any point in a relationship, but it’s especially essential when you’ve only been with your partner for a little while. If a problem arises, it must be addressed right away; if you tackle issues in such a way early on in the relationship, it sets a precedent for the rest of the relationship. Bottling up frustration is only a recipe for disaster, and it’s always better to discuss a problem with your partner rather than hiding your true feelings.
Ready to make your online profile? Find the best online dating site for you today.